Sydney Uni signs collaboration deal with Japanese CubeSat start-up

The University of Sydney’s ARC Training Centre for CubeSats has joined with Japanese space start-up and launch company Space BD to support satellite development programs.

Sydney Uni signs collaboration deal with Japanese CubeSat start-up

Stephen Kuper

Last Updated: 14 April 2020
Published: 05 March 2019

In an important step for the Sydney University-based ARC Training Centre for CubeSats, Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles and their Applications (CUAVA). A new partnership with Space BD will provide satellite deployment services from the International Space Station for two CUAVA satellites that are under development.

Led by the University of Sydney, CUAVA is working to train the next generation of workers in commercial space, solve vital research problems and help develop a world-class Australian space industry.

‘CUAVA-1’ is the first satellite being developed by CUAVA, with the purpose to certify advanced communication, remote sensing, GPS, and space environment instruments and provide their data to users on Earth.

"We are excited to announce our first overseas contract for satellite deployment from a fast-growing country with a brand-new space agency, Australia. Starting with this project, we hope that co-operation in space between the two countries will further advance and strengthen our partnership across the Pacific region. Space BD will endeavour to further our contributions to the Australian space industry," said Yuske Taguchi, senior manager at Space BD.

After being selected as a commercial service provider by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Space BD has experienced rapid growth, which has led to their first overseas contract to provide end-to-end launch and deployment services for the two CUAVA satellites.

"Signing this launch contract with Space BD is a crucial and very exciting step forward for CUAVA and all our students and partners. We look forward to a long-term partnership with Space BD and to the CUAVA-1 CubeSat enabling major progress on our research and commercialisation projects," Professor Iver Cairns said.

Through this partnership, Space BD will contribute to the growth of the booming Australian space industry and further expand its space utilisation services across the globe.

Space BD brings together a group of business development experts with diverse backgrounds, connecting networks of information and people to create new business frameworks and industries.